Scott Parker Announced As New England Captain

Scott Parker has been announced as the new England captain for tonight's friendly against Holland.

Voted the Three Lions' player of the year for 2011 by supporters, the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has been chosen by interim manager Stuart Pearce ahead of favourite Steven Gerrard and outside bet Joe Hart.

The 31-year-old has won just 10 caps for England, having made his debut for his country against Denmark in a 2003 Old Trafford friendly.

Pearce's predecessor Fabio Capello turned to Parker for the European Championship 2012 qualifier away to Wales in March last year, and the former Charlton Athletic man has been a regular in the side ever since.

He was named the Football Writers' Association's player of the year for last season during a battling campaign as West Ham United's skipper, only for the Hammers to be relegated to the Championship.

A summer transfer to Spurs has seen him continue to garner plaudits for his tireless displays and commitment to Harry Redknapp's team. He is however suspended for Sunday's match against Manchester United at Old Trafford after he was sent off in the 5-2 weekend defeat at Arsenal.

Yesterday Pearce told the media gathered at his pre-match press conference that he knew the identity and starting XI for this evening's fixture, but chose not to reveal it until this morning.

Joe Hart was announced as the squad member to face questions on Tuesday - usually an assignment fulfilled by the team captain the day before a game.

However Pearce has overlooked the 24-year-old and Gerrard, 31. The Liverpool man was handed the armband for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after Rio Ferdinand was ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury.